Whether you have always had a disability or not, it sometimes makes it more difficult to find a job

If you have a disability, there are additional services available. A local job centre can refer you to organisation such as Pluss, who focus on getting people with disabilities and health conditions into work and encourage employers to be disability confident.

How does it work?

You need to be referred through a job centre. Pluss works in most job centres across Somerset or travels to you if necessary.

You need to want to work 16 hours or more and if you are entitles to it, this work will not prevent you from getting universal credit.

The goal is to prepare applicants for the jobs and the interview process, but also about encouraging employers to be flexible and offer work trials to show off applicants’ practical skills when an interview may not be beneficial to them.

What do they do?

Pluss helps their clients with CVs, letters and applications, but also do sessions on how to look for work. They prepare clients for interviews and do mock interviews.

“We try and help in the areas a client needs” said Geraldine Scott-Smith, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Pluss. “We support clients to identify what they want to do, and we also ask who they would like to work for and simply call up the employer to ask if they have vacancies.

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“We can then help with anything that is needed. A lot of the time it is a question of building their confidence and making sure they are given a good chance.

“Sometimes that means we ask employers to let them do a work trial. A person may not be very confident and outspoken but very good at their job. If they can show their practical skills they are much more likely to get employed.

“In some cases it is about helping with interview clothes. It is not much, but we have a little money allocated to each person to be spent on their specific needs.”

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The company has a good relationship with a number of employers, but aims to get employees into any area they are looking for. They can also organise Access to Work to ensure employees have a service taking them into work.

After 13 weeks, they aim for unsupported employment, although they remain in contact with the clients to check how they are getting on for 6 months.

What’s in it for employers?

An employer will be encouraged to work around some of the employee’s needs and be flexible. This could include making sure shifts match public transport schedules or giving them a chance to try different positions within the company to find the best fit. In return, they will get motivated and committed staff who really want to be there.